I participated in the 'forthnight' workshop (what happened to it anyway?). The theme that time was "Amazon". I took the idea of warrior women sacrificing one breast to become better archers and mixed it with parasites. I forgot the name, but the kind that end up consuming the host. The idea's that the parasite provides her with massive power, but feeds on her energy in return. I wanted her to look strong, yet strangely unhealthy. I didn't want to overdo the last part, since I was afraid I'd end up with a fashion model, which I didn't want. *Please note that this comment only relates to this painting and is not a reflection on other preferences I may or may not have.*

I wanted to make a full piece using my final render as it's base. It's been quite a while though and I've been doing some other things in between. I felt it was time to finish this piece, even though there's so much still bothering me. It'll have to wait until I become better. I intend to come back to this one to correct those things at a later stage, but right now this is the most I can get out of it. Some in-betweens can be found in my WIP thread.

Anyway, I consider this my first "real" painting. I did use a lot of references for the amazon, but it's not a study like some other pieces I did (which I didn't even bother to submit, but 3 are in my gallery. Different purpose: learning painting in Photoshop). Yet, I was unable to find a reference with an arm raised like this with similar build and lighting.

Of course I'm open for any useful critics and will be most grateful for them.

Actual size 2828x4700 pixels (I know, weird size, but I wanted a bit more space vertically)
Painted in Photoshop, using mostly the solid round brush. I also used 2 of Martha Dahlig's brushes from her ImagineFX tutorial on painting human skin (very educational).
Time: I stopped keeping track after a while, but I think it took less time to create the universe as we know it.

Hopefully I won't need 45 layers for my next piece. My poor laptop's threatening with organized strikes! Or maybe that's my OS, I don't know ...